her sister, accompanied by the
duchesses of Cleveland and Bolton, and several other ladies of the first
distinction, was introduced by the dukes of Richmond and St. Alban's
into the king's bed-chamber, where she invoked his majesty's clemency
for her unfortunate consort. She afterwards repaired to the lobby of the
house of peers, attended by the ladies of the other condemned lords, and
above twenty others of the same quality, and begged the intercession
of the house; but no regard was paid to their petition. Next day they
petitioned both houses of parliament. The commons rejected their suit.
In the upper house, the duke of Richmond delivered a petition from the
earl of Derwentwater, to whom he was nearly related, at the same time
declaring that he himself should oppose his solicitation. The earl of
Derby expressed some compassion for the numerous family of lord Nairn.
Petitions from the rest were presented by other lords, moved with pity
and humanity. Lord Town-shend and others vehemently opposed their being
read. The earl of Nottingham thought this indulgence might be granted;
the house assented to his opinion, and agreed to an address, praying
his majesty would reprieve such of the condemned lords as should seem to
deserve his mercy. To this petition the king answered, that on this and
all other occasions, he would do what he thought most consistent with
the dignity of his crown and the safety of his people. The earl of
Nottingham, president of the council, his brother the earl of Aylesbury,
chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, his son lord Finch, one of
the lords of the treasury, his kinsman lord Guernsey, master of the
jewel-office, were altogether dismissed from his majesty's service.
Orders were despatched for executing the earls of Derwentwater and
Nithsdale, and the viscount of Kennruir, immediately; the others were
respited to the seventh day of March. Nithsdale made his escape in
woman's apparel, furnished and conveyed to him by his own mother. On the
twenty-fourth day of February, Derwentwater and Kenmuir were beheaded
on Tower-hill. The former was an amiable youth, brave, open, generous,
hospitable, and humane. His fate drew tears from the spectators, and was
a great misfortune to the country in which he lived. He gave bread
to multitudes of people whom he employed on his estate; the poor, the
widow, and the orphan rejoiced in his bounty. Kenmuir was a virtuous
nobleman, calm, sensible, resolute, and resigned